He was born in Wakefield, Mass., on June 6, 1936 to Harry and Carolyn (Rossicone) Lanzillo. Walter graduated from Wakefield High School. He married Eleanor Mae Bridgham on June 1, 1958.

Walter was a third-generation owner/milkman of Happy Valley Dairy for 25 years in Wakefield, Mass. and was employed for 22 years as a boiler man for National Semi-Conductor of South Portland, Maine. Walter and his wife Eleanor were owners of Evergreen Motor Court and Elmwood Motor Court in Old Orchard Beach, Maine for a period of 25 years.